With the NHL season underway, that means the Last Word on Hockey Show is back again on the MAD Radio Network. Your host Jim Biringer from lastwordonhockey.com was back alongside Marc Weiss and Coach Jay were back for the third season. This time with a twist as Chris Wassel joins the show in the first half to discuss the 2021-22 Atlantic Division. They also look at the signings of Brady Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy and a whole lot more.
The Last Word on Hockey Show: 2021-22 Atlantic Division
Jim welcomes everyone to the show for another Saturday night. He introduces Chris Wassel from Full Press NHL and the boys tackle the Atlantic Division. First up they discuss the news of the week and the contracts signed by Tkachuk and McAvoy. In addition, they discuss the Nick Suzuki contract as well. Chris talks about what the McAvoy contract means for Boston. The boys discuss the window closing for the Bruins and this could be the year they miss the playoffs. Chris mentions their second-line centre position. There is definitely a possibility the Bruins could miss.
Ottawa Senators
Jim switches the conversation to the Senators and they discuss how the team is heading in the right direction. The Tkachuk deal while big is a win for both parties. The player gets his money while the team gets the term they wanted. For a team that had issues keeping players like Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and the list goes on, it is good to see them finally keep their young talent around for the long term. As Chris mentions, it will take some time for them to be a playoff team, they are not far off. Jim notes they always play tough against their rivals, they are known to be the “Pesky Sens” for a reason.
Montreal Canadiens
The conversation switches to the Montreal Canadiens as they discuss the team’s early struggles. Chris, who covered the team on their way to the final, says it was a miracle they got there because, on some nights, they had no business being in some of their games. Now they are not the same team. Not having Carey Price, Shea Weber, and Paul Byron surely hurts this climb. It was not going to be easy anyway without Weber, but this is really an uphill climb. They are not the same team that went to the Stanley Cup Final. Jim makes notes of the feel-good story that is Jonathan Drouin.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Finally the conversation shifts to the Maple Leafs. As Jim notes their goaltending is a mess with Petr Mrazek hurt again. Everything falls on Jack Campbell just like everything falls on Jake Allen in Montreal. It is not about the regular season for this team, it is about the playoffs and getting past the first round. They need their big stars to play well and step up. Chris mentions how funny it would be if Toronto and Florida met in the first round. Does someone have to win that series? Right?
In addition to the preview of the Atlantic Division, the boys also talk about Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Plus Jim brings in Coach Jay to discuss the goalie situations for each club and where he sees them in the division. Coach Jay gives us his unofficial power rankings for the goalies as well.
Enjoy!
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